RICHARDSON, Texas – McMurry University will begin its 13th – and final – appearance in the American Southwest Conference post-season when it takes on the University of Texas-Dallas at the UTD Baseball Field. The best-of-three series opens with a single game Friday at 2 p.m. and Saturday at 11 a.m. (with an “if necessary” game to follow).

With the McM athletics program moving to NCAA Division II next year, the War Hawks(No. 4 seed from the ASC West) will be looking to make the most of their ninth-consecutive ASC tourney berth in 2012 versus the Comets (top seed from the ASC East). McM qualified for the ASC tournament in: 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001 & 2004-2012. (McM also played in the TIAA post-season tournament during the first year of its program's existence in 1996).The War Hawks have earned four ASC titles previously: 1998, 2001, 2004 & 2008.

McMurry has a record of 26-16 (.619) all-time in the ASC post-season during the program's 12 previous appearances.

McMurry has been the #4-seed from the ASC West in each of the last four seasons, facing perennial power UT-Tyler in the first round series the three previous times. Last year, McM upset UT-Tyler – then the No. 5- ranked team in the nation - and reached the ASC finals round.

McMurry trails the Comets in its all-time series versus UTD, 9-12. Dallas has won two in a row versus McMurry dating back to 2011.

In a midweek crossover game back on March 20, UT-Dallas won a convincing 18-6 decision over McMurry in Abilene. Brandon Clounch was the winning pitcher as the first of five Comet hurlers (with both squads opting for the “committee” approach on the mound). Charlie Hejny took the loss for McMurry, giving up six hits and six runs (three earned) in his one inning of work. For McM, Dylan De Leon was 2-5 with an RBI and Marcellous Biggins went 2-4 with two runs scored.

The Comets 18-6 blitzing of McMurry snapped what turned out to be a season-high nine-game winning streak by the War Hawks.

The War Hawks' success may well hinge on their ability to get out to a fast start with the sticks. McM's most productive offensive inning this season has been the first. The War Hawks have plated 43 runs in their first at-bats during the year.

The McMurry offense has been led by senior first baseman Matt Thompson. Coming down the homestretch of his career in the Maroon and Black, Thompson has logged some impressive numbers for the War Hawks this season, propelling him up the ladder in several McMurry baseball career categories, including: stolen bases (27/#2); at-bats (473/#9); runs (106/#12); hits (162/t.#7); doubles (34/t.#8); triples (14/#2); home runs (22/t.#8); RBI (110/#10) and walks (70/t.#5). Thompson has also been hit by a pitch a total of 15 times in his career.

In 2012, Thompson is batting .400 entering the ASC tourney. He has won four ASC West “Hitter of the Week” awards this season.

Junior righthander Spencer Smith is expected to get the call for McMurry in Friday's opener.

ASll of the War Hawks' ASC tournament action will air live on KZQQ 1560 AM in the Abilene area, with the feed also being available for a subscription via mcmurrysports.com.